Chapter 1059 What Does It Mean that Happiness Turns to Sorrow?

Tim Bodie's current behavior, to put it nicely, is complacent, to put it bluntly... it's a bit like a mean person getting rich.

However, Charles Champion no longer cares about such details.

As the chief operating officer of the A380 project, he was even more excited than Bodie after hearing that the Trent 900 could be delivered on schedule.

After all, the pressures on both sides are completely different.

As a "new century air cruise ship" with a take-off weight exceeding that of the Boeing 747 and a volume exceeding that of the An-225, the A380 not only carries Airbus's expectations of completely suppressing its old rival Boeing in the field of passenger aircraft, but also constantly receives the attention of public opinion around the world.

In most cases, especially at the beginning of the project, this attention is undoubtedly beneficial.

This model once received funding and resource investment that exceeded commercial rationality.

But the price of investment that exceeds commercial rationality is that expectations also exceed commercial rationality.

As a rule, when the technical team reveals the development schedule to the outside world, they will leave some room for maneuver.

Because of such a large-scale project, even if a god came, he could not guarantee that there would be no trouble.

Take the Trent 900 for example.

Although Bodi said that it would be delivered before March 2004, Champiin was almost certain that the other party's internal schedule would be at least a quarter earlier than this, or even more.

However, on the A380, the need for publicity overshadowed the technical needs.

The public relations department bypassed the R&D team and directly disclosed the internal plan schedule.

And if it was just the media joining in the fun, it would not cause any serious consequences.

The real trouble is that the overwhelming public opinion will eventually affect the users who are ready to place orders-

There are rumors outside that the A380 will be put into operation in 2007. Now you tell me that it will be delivered before 2008. Do you look down on me?

Therefore, the supply contract for the first user was also signed before the end of 2007.

In the end, Champiin felt that there was a whip behind him almost every moment. If there was any mistake, he would have to bear the double pressure from the big daddy Party A and the outside public opinion.

In the current situation, if the Trent 900 can really be delivered on time or ahead of schedule.

Let him call Bodi his godfather.

Of course, Airbus and Rolls-Royce are both well-known big companies in the industry, and aircraft engines are special non-shelf products. It is definitely not like a black market transaction, where the two sides can just make a deal after collusion.

Later, the past intention agreement must be upgraded to a formal supply agreement.

Especially the delivery deadline, and the technical status that the product must reach when delivered, etc., can not be neglected at all.

Otherwise, if something goes wrong in the future, just wait for the dispute.

Fortunately, Bodi was accompanied by a legal team, and they were obviously here to achieve a result as soon as possible...

"Charlie, in order to improve efficiency, I suggest that you also organize a technical team as soon as possible to go to the Rainsway factory to understand the situation while the negotiations are underway."

When the meeting was about to end, Bodi suddenly proposed:

"In this way, even if there are any problems or disagreements during the talks, they can be communicated and resolved in the shortest time..."

The fact that the British can come up with such a "heretical" method shows that Rolls-Royce is well prepared and is determined to win the power for the A380's first flight.

However, facing the party B who suddenly took the initiative and started to push for more, Champiin was a little uncomfortable:

"Uh... Timmy, you came too suddenly this time. Today... or in the next few days, we definitely can't start negotiations. We also need time to evaluate the situation and organize people..."

He replied awkwardly:

"Anyway... I will hand over the information and reports you brought to the group level as soon as possible. At the latest, we can start negotiations before the end of next week..."

Before coming to Airbus, Bodi had already expected the efficiency of the French, so he was not surprised by this answer.

In fact, even the hotel room was directly booked for two weeks.

However, he still deliberately pretended to have an expression of "this makes it difficult for me to deal with it". After hesitating for a long time, he nodded reluctantly:

"Okay, but it must be fast... The ground test of Trent 900 has entered the final stage. We don't want to delay the time of air test..."

"..."

The performance in front of Champiin made Bodi in a good mood.

After leaving Airbus, he quickly organized people and began to prepare for the negotiations starting next week.

Although it is said to be preparation, there is actually nothing special to do.

In his opinion, and even in the opinion of the entire Rolls-Royce company, the Trent 900 has now made up for the last shortcoming in performance. Compared with its competitors, the only disadvantage is the high speed, that is, the noise control during takeoff and climb is slightly worse.

But this disadvantage is not worth mentioning in front of the huge lead in fuel economy.

In addition, the basic design of GP7200 is derived from the GE90 and PW4090 engines. This hybrid design can combine the advantages of both models, but on the other hand, it will also bring many technical risks.

In short, in terms of performance, reputation, and risk.

The advantage is huge, and I don’t know how to lose!

However, what happened next made Bodie quickly understand what it means to be extremely happy and sad...

…

On the first weekend after the Rollo-Royce team arrived in France, Bodi, who had nothing to do, took a few of his men out for a round of fun as usual.

When he returned to his residence, it was almost midnight.

But several team members who stayed behind did not fall asleep, but gathered at the door of Bodi's room.

Apparently waiting for his return.

"director."

The team assistant came forward:

"Two hours ago, news came from the headquarters, saying that you should return to China as soon as possible, but we couldn't contact you just now, so we had to wait here."

This sentence made Bodie, who was already seven points drunk, tremble and wake up instantly:

"Me... or us?"

He shook his still dizzy head and confirmed immediately.

"Director Panos Watson specifically emphasized that you will return to China alone, and the remaining members of our team will continue to negotiate with Airbus in France, but..."

The other party paused for a moment, then further lowered his voice:

"We are asked to delay as much time as possible and not to reach a clear agreement with Airbus for the time being."

If Bodi had just come to his senses just now, now he was breaking out in a cold sweat.

As the deputy project director, it was actually nothing unusual for the headquarters to ask him to go back alone.

After all, many major decisions could not be made without his presence.

But at the same time, the negotiating team is asked to delay time...

Then I'm afraid there's only one possibility left -

Trent 900, something went wrong.

Moreover, it is not a small problem.

Because as Champine just guessed, the delivery time in March 2004 actually left a three-month margin.

The sudden change in negotiation strategy shows that three months is not enough...

Bodie felt a little headache.

Thinking about it, I had just boasted in front of Champine two days ago, only to have my hips stretch out.

This wave is obviously bound to make a fool of itself.

But compared to the progress of the Trent 900, and even the future and destiny of this model, personal dignity seems to be insignificant.

He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down:

“When is the nearest flight?”

"I checked, it's 7 o'clock tomorrow morning."

The assistant replied:

“However, given the weather over in London, it might be quicker to take the Eurostar.”

Eurostar is a cross-sea railway train between London and Paris, with about 6-9 departures every day.

In short-distance travel like England and France, it is often more convenient than flying.

This is especially true in harsh climate conditions.

It's just that the environment is a little worse.

"Then take the train... I hope they can be more punctual than the British and German railways..."

Bodi made a quick decision:

"We're going to Paris now."

Airbus's factory is located in Toulouse, southwest France, about 700 kilometers away from Paris.

After saying that, he opened the door and started to pack his things while resisting the slight headache caused by alcohol.

"Director Bodi, if you haven't come back after the negotiations start next week and Airbus asks again..."

The assistant also walked in.

He didn't know exactly what happened at the headquarters, but after Bodi left, the entire team lost the person who could make decisions, and it was definitely impossible to negotiate normally.

If something really goes wrong, I, as an assistant, will most likely be thrown out and take the blame in the end.

However, Bodi himself was so confused at this moment that he could not care about comforting others, so he immediately said what was on his mind:

"Just say that I am suddenly unwell and unable to preside over the negotiations... The headquarters may send another person to take charge, but if not, you will be the one to take charge for a period of time..."